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Totally Modern Country Cottage

Photo gallery for Totally Modern Country Cottage

Exterior
Private kitchen
Private kitchen
Room
Room

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor barbecue

Explore the area

View map
Brevard, NC
  • Place, Headwaters State Forest
    ‪20 min walk‬
  • Place, Fred W. Symmes Chapel
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Place, Lake Keowee
    ‪49 min drive‬
  • Airport, Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)
    ‪51 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Guest Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Main Bath

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub

Master bath

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Totally Modern Country Cottage

Southern comfort at it's finest! Totally refurbished 2 bedroom/2 bath home on acreage with sun room. Surrounded by creeks and beautiful woods in a private setting.Bike, hike, or explore Brevard or Dupont State Forest, both less than ten miles away. Explore the brand new (opened 9.6.18) Headwaters State Park that is only minutes away. Visit Asheville, Beer City USA (45 minutes) or try
your hand at world class fly fishing just up the road.Or just sit on the front porch with a cold drink and listen to the stream. Brevard is also home to a world class music center, great restaurants, many art galleries, and endless opportunities to hear and enjoy live music.
The cottage is the first phase of what will include a refurbished 1948 Dodge school bus, bath house, bunk house, pavilion, and two tree houses. Phase two will open April 1, 2019!


Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
We allow pets on case by case basis.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We will cheerfully consider pets with an additional ($50) deposit.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock

About the area

Brevard

Located in Brevard, this holiday home is on the waterfront. The Rock Golf Course And Resort and Victoria Valley Vineyard are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Crystal Mountain Gem Mine and Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute.
View more Holiday homes in BrevardOpens in a new window
Map
Brevard, NC

What's nearby

  • Headwaters State Forest - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Brevard College - 16 min drive - 19.1 km
  • Fred W. Symmes Chapel - 23 min drive - 25.9 km
  • Lake Keowee - 49 min drive - 55.3 km
  • Lake Jocassee - 61 min drive - 59.7 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Country Skillet - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Victoria Valley Vineyards - ‬36 min drive
  • ‪Cedar Mountain Outpost - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Cedar Mountain Cafe - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Riverside Pizza - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Totally Modern Country Cottage pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Totally Modern Country Cottage?

As of 29 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Totally Modern Country Cottage on 12 June 2026 start from AU$174, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Totally Modern Country Cottage?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Totally Modern Country Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Totally Modern Country Cottage?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Totally Modern Country Cottage located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Headwaters State Forest and within 9 miles (15 km) of Connestee Falls Park and French Broad River. Caesars Head State Park and Silvermont Mansion and Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 36 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 36 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 36 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kellie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very cozy cottage nestled in the woods. Very clean and just like in pictures. For a family of 4 staying there, we didn’t have much couch space to sit and watch TV together.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place is awesome. The location is perfect. We saw deer and turkeys galore. The creeks were also wonderful to sit by and listen to. The hosts thought of everything. I highly recommend this place and would happily stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cottage was great! I needed to do a few thing in town and it was an easy drive into Brevard. Also liked being close to trails and in the woods, but still close to getting dinner. The best part is being able to bring more then one dog with me! After a long day hiking ans seeing water falls it was nice to sit by the fire with my boys!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kris D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice house

Very clean and very quiet nice stay
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tina K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quaint cottage in the woods

Enjoyed our stay at this property. Very comfortable with great amenities, exactly as described. Owner was very responsive at all times. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place

The property was exactly as promised. Very comfortable and well situated
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Allyson L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet retreat

The cottage was in a peaceful setting, just the right size for my family , liked having 2 full baths., and had everything we needed for a pleasant stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sara H.

Simply perfect!

The cottage was perfect for our family of four. So clean and well appointed. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing

Comfortable, quiet cottage.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Todd M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Gem!

We had a great stay here. The house is comfortable and cozy and the hosts are wonderful. Perfect spot for a getaway. Close enough to Brevard and nearby hiking spots, yet also set apart enough to enjoy quiet mountain vibes. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tammy g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quaint cottage !

We loved this cottage and the quietness of neighborhood. Very beautiful inside and out . Hosts were great with our needs and questions. Great place for our anniversary getaway ! Thank you !
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie G.

Cute and cozy cabin

My family of 4 had a great long weekend in Gear Down. This cabin was really clean, comfortable and convenient to so many waterfalls!! Downtown Brevard is minutes away. I only wish we were able to stay longer. The owners respond quickly and were a pleasure to work with. Thank you, we hope to make this an annual end of the summer trip:)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

M-A P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home away from home

It was our first time to Brevard, NC and absolutely loved our stay. Marty was responsive and very helpful. The home had everything we needed and we thoroughly enjoyed the quiet. My daughter (12) and her friend (11) especially loved exploring the two streams on the property. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Mountain Retreat

We really enjoyed our stay at the cottage! The location was perfect for hiking and going into Brevard for dinner and such. The cottage itself was very nice and it was clear that the hosts put a lot of thought into making it a nice vacation home. I really appreciated that they had books and games available. There were also bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower. These were little touches that were unexpected, but very nice. The kitchen was clean and well-stocked with basic appliances.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Second time’s a charm!

This is the second time we have been to this cottage. It was just as we remembered! We had such a great and relaxing time. And there are tons of pamphlets and brochures on the area which are extremely helpful if you aren’t familiar with the area. One of things I must say is the highlight of our trip each time is the twisty, winding drive into town! After a long day of waterfall hiking Gear Down Cottage is just the place to relax! Thank you again for being such wonderful hosts.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing weekend

When we first arrived at the house we were very impressed with the cleanliness. Plus we were delighted the guest bedroom had a queen bed and not a trundle bed as described in the VRBO description. The creek runs on two sides of the home which is wonderful to hear when sitting on the porch. There is nothing like the sound of a mountain stream. We went into Brevard and were delighted when we saw three white squirrels. Everything about our trip was perfect. We will definitely rent this home again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Property is totally misrepresented in full description by owner(s).

Large Junk area - 30 feet off the back deck. Old lumber/old decrepit school bus/various amounts of old/odd trash. Dueling roosters next door and across the road, 24/7. Cottage is on a busy country road. Any rain and the property is a mud pen. WiFi does not work. No cell service. Landline "supplied" by owner does not work. Upon opening back door on first night, met with stink of old stale cigarettes. Took 2 days of opened windows to try and alleviate stink.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Oct 2020
We have been fortunate to only have wonderful guests who have been completely enchanted with our vacation rentals. All but one of our reviews have been five stars. The one exception gave us four stars. To address the specific concerns of the above review: There is no junk area. We are restoring a 1948 Dodge school bus. We have put in a new floor and done extensive welding in order to add new window glass. There is no trash or debris surrounding the bus. We are proud of the funky bus and our guests often comment on how cool it is. Please see the photo of the backyard and bus on our VRBO listing. Yes, our neighbors have roosters. We have not had a single objection to them.They are several hundred yards away from the cottage. We consider them charming and part or the beautiful sounds of living in the country along with the creek, birds singing, and frog vocals. The road where our cottage is situated is a typical quiet country road with some local traffic. I recently sat on the porch for an hour and counted six cars and one of them was the mail delivery. The driveway is hard packed dirt, well maintained, and the yard is nicely landscaped with a manicured grass lawn. You can easily walk from the car to the cottage and around the property without ever getting your feet wet. WiFi works perfectly and we have never had a problem or complaint. Cell service is not good. You can easily connect to the WiFi and/or use our free landline with unlimited local and long distance calling. Again, it works perfectly and we have never had a problem or complaint. We totally renovated the home less then a year ago. Everything is new from the floor up and no one has ever smoked in the home. We are both non-smokers and clean the home ourselves. We would immediately know if anyone had ever smoked in the home. We have never had any complaints of unpleasant smells of any kind, including smoke. Our other VRBO listing is in New Bern, NC, and the listing number is 3419523. Please read the reviews on both of our properties and let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Marty and Jill Whalen
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bethany L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We did not bring our cat as originally planned but saw they dod have cat toys in the cottage. Maybe if we return we will.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

We enjoyed our stay at this wonderful cottage.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allie M.

Adorable cottage

Stream by the house was very relaxing
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

chris e.

Everything we were looking for

Great location and property. Would have given 5 stars if it had a fireplace but it was perfect in every other way. Bed was very comfortable!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Betty B.

Beautiful, clean, pretty cottage.

Marty and Jill are sweet people. We enjoyed our little home away from home. Thank you for your hospitality. The cottage is so pretty, neat, nicely decorated, well-stocked and clean. Warm and welcoming.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Julie P.

Perfect Mountain Retreat

The cottage was clean and had all the amenities you would need. My husband and I were on vacation to get some rest and relaxation from the hustle and bustle of work. We were able to go to the Dupont State Forest and Pisgah. The drive to town is super fun... like a roller coaster!!! We really enjoyed our stay and would recommend Gear Down to anyone looking for a quiet retreat with the comforts of home. Also- A nice local in Brevard told us to look at the college campus for white squirrels and we saw one as soon as we arrived to the college. Thank you, Marty, for welcoming us to your cottage.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy R.

New cottage, beautifully furnished with outstanding owners

Rented this beautifully decorated home over Memorial Day weekend. It is in a central location to hiking and waterfalls. We spent time in Brevard, Cashiers, Highlands, DuPont and Gorges SPs and Nantahala National Forest hiking. The owner, Marty, checked on us upon checkin to make sure we had everything we needed. I had mentioned to him we had hoped to see “Blue Ghost” fireflies during our visit. Marty gave us a few pointers on where to look around the property. When that didn’t work, Marty gave us a private tour and gave my family an outstanding experience seeing the Blue Ghosts on our final night. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Barbie H.

Cozy Cottage

Very clean, well stocked and nicely decorated cabin. The owners quickly answered questions we had. When we asked about bed sizes, I was told queen and there is a queen size bed in one bedroom, but only a twin bed in the second bedroom. It is hard to tell the size from the picture. That is the main reason we gave it 4 stars. It is close to Brevard and lots of different waterfalls, our reason for coming to the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018

About the host

Hosted by Martin or Jill Whalen.

Host profile image
Marty and Jill met in Colorado where Marty is from. Jill is from Charlotte and happy to be back in her mountains. We enjoy outdoor activities, live music, and spending time with friends and family.

Why they chose this property

We purchased the land with the goal of providing lodging for bikers and hikers. We saw great potential in the abandoned and neglected property. We are thrilled with the results.

What makes this property unique

We love the location. We're close enough to get into town easily yet far enough out to have lots of peace and quiet. There's nothing better than sitting on the porch enjoying the sound of running water and country living.

Languages:

English
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